While this video only represents the viewpoint of 50 EU political leaders, it is powerful.
A firm statement made: "Homophobia has no place in Europe."
Thursday, May 17, 2012
International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia
In observance of today's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay released a video supporting the rights of LGBT people worldwide.
According to Pillay, "We must punish hatred and violence, not love. The best antidote for homophobia and transphobia is to educate adults and children."
Such a statement would land Pillay in prison in many countries around the world.
According to Pillay, "We must punish hatred and violence, not love. The best antidote for homophobia and transphobia is to educate adults and children."
Such a statement would land Pillay in prison in many countries around the world.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission Community Forum
On Wednesday May 16, from 6:30-8:00 pm, the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission hosted a community forum. Two new commissioners were in attendance, as well as three representatives from different community organizations.
The Commission presented its work plan to the new commissioners and the three representatives. Then the new commissioners and community representatives had a chance to share what they were working on within their organizations. Commissioners and the community representatives found out that they had some common goals, but we did not have sufficient time to fully address the main question: How can we collaborate in our efforts? The Commission also sought feedback from the community representatives on how to improve.
Some suggestions and advice that the Commission received included:
1. More community forums. Invite everyone to the table.
2. Tap into the communities that we are not already a part of.
3. Seek out volunteers from the senior center.
4. Learn how to communicate better with groups who do not believe in the same things that we do.
5. Focus on education and outreach rather than enforcement. Many people in the community are intimidated by the Human Rights Commission due to its role as "enforcer". Even our Human Rights Commissioner is called an "Enforcement Officer".
The next meeting of the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission is Wednesday June 20th at 6 pm at Independent Lifestyles in Sauk Rapids. We will be discussing the feedback.
The Commission presented its work plan to the new commissioners and the three representatives. Then the new commissioners and community representatives had a chance to share what they were working on within their organizations. Commissioners and the community representatives found out that they had some common goals, but we did not have sufficient time to fully address the main question: How can we collaborate in our efforts? The Commission also sought feedback from the community representatives on how to improve.
Some suggestions and advice that the Commission received included:
1. More community forums. Invite everyone to the table.
2. Tap into the communities that we are not already a part of.
3. Seek out volunteers from the senior center.
4. Learn how to communicate better with groups who do not believe in the same things that we do.
5. Focus on education and outreach rather than enforcement. Many people in the community are intimidated by the Human Rights Commission due to its role as "enforcer". Even our Human Rights Commissioner is called an "Enforcement Officer".
The next meeting of the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission is Wednesday June 20th at 6 pm at Independent Lifestyles in Sauk Rapids. We will be discussing the feedback.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
In 1949, US Congress declared May Mental Health Awareness Month "to raise public awareness and public discourse about the prevalence of mental illness in society". The number of World War Two veterans and war refugees suffering from trauma inspired this awareness month. While a variety of assessment tools, therapies, and medications exist today for people suffering from mental illnesses, family awareness and acceptance is often their first step to healing.
Here are some Minnesota mental health resources:
Adult Mental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
Minnesota Mental Health: Resources for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns & Wright Counties
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota
Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Here are some Minnesota mental health resources:
Adult Mental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
Minnesota Mental Health: Resources for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns & Wright Counties
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota
Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
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